French President Emmanuel Macron appointed veteran centrist François Bayrou as the new prime minister on Friday (Dec 13) following the collapse of the previous government of PM Michel Barnier.

French President Emmanuel Macron appointed veteran centrist François Bayrou as the new prime minister on Friday (Dec 13) following the collapse of the previous government of PM Michel Barnier. Who is François Bayrou? A prominent figure in French centrist politics, Bayrou has long been a key player in national affairs. His appointment comes after Barnier’s government fell. Notably, Bayrou was widely regarded as the leading candidate for the role. On Friday morning, Bayrou, 73, met with Macron for nearly two hours. Initial reports suggested the meeting was tense, casting doubt on Bayrou’s chances. However, he was ultimately chosen and will now be tasked with assembling a cabinet capable of working with a divided parliament to pass the 2025 budget. Bayrou leads the centrist MoDem party, part of Macron’s parliamentary alliance. His political experience is seen as essential in navigating the current challenges, especially as no single party holds a majority in the National Assembly. Political background and experience Bayrou has been the mayor of Pau, a city in the Pyrenees, since 2014. The 76-year-old has been a close ally of Macron since the latter’s rise to power in 2017. He has run for the French presidency three times, representing the centre. His closest attempt was in 2007 when he secured nearly 19 per cent of the vote, finishing third. Also read: Francois Bayrou is new prime minister of France, announces President Macron Earlier in his career, Bayrou served as education minister from 1993 to 1997, having started as a teacher of classical languages. Briefly, in 2017, he held the role of justice minister under Macron but resigned following allegations of misuse of European Parliament funds. Though Bayrou was eventually acquitted, several colleagues were convicted, and an appeal against his acquittal is ongoing. Bayrou is the fourth prime minister appointed this year, which reflects the political instability in France. In a government reliant on cooperation, Bayrou’s relationships with both the left and right could prove vital. Interestingly, Bayrou has maintained a respectful relationship with Marine Le Pen, leader of the populist right. He once supported her right to run for the presidency by helping her gather the necessary endorsements, arguing it was a matter of democratic principle. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Francois Bayrou? The new French PM set to battle the political chaos

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday (Dec 13) that Francois Bayrou will be the new prime minister of France. Bayrou, 73, is a veteran centrist leader and a close ally of President Macron.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday (Dec 13) that Francois Bayrou will be the new prime minister of France. Bayrou, 73, is a veteran centrist leader and a close ally of President Macron. He is the founder of the Democratic Movement party which has been a part of Macron's ruling alliance since 2017. A report by the news agency Reuters said that Bayrou would be tasked with steering France out of its second major political crisis in the last six months. The priority for Bayrou, a close Macron ally, would be passing a special law to roll over the 2024 budget, with a nastier battle over the 2025 legislation looming early next year. Bayrou is the sixth PM of Macron's mandate Bayrou is the sixth prime minister of Macron's mandate after last week's toppling of Barnier, who became the country's shortest-serving prime minister and lasted only three months. Also read | French President Emmanuel Macron visits Warsaw to discuss Ukraine support Parliamentary pushback over the 2025 bill led to the downfall of Barnier's government. The new cabinet expected in coming days Reuters reported that Bayrou is expected to put forward his list of ministers in the coming days. The new cabinet will have to survive a no-confidence vote in a deeply divided parliament and thrash out the 2025 budget to limit economic turmoil. President Macron hopes that Bayrou can stave off no-confidence votes until at least July when France will be able to hold a new parliamentary election. The previous political positions held by Bayrou Before being named as the PM, Bayrou was appointed the justice minister in 2017 but resigned only three weeks later amid an investigation into his party's alleged fraudulent employment of parliamentary assistants. He was cleared of fraud charges this year. The 73-year-old was a candidate in three presidential elections – 2002, 2007, and 2012. Bayrou has been the mayor of the south-western town of Pau since 2014. (With inputs from agencies)

Francois Bayrou is new prime minister of France, announces President Macron

francois-bayrou-profile

Francois Bayrou Profile, News on Francois Bayrou Profile, stories on Francois Bayrou Profile, articles on Francois Bayrou Profile, Francois Bayrou Profile stories at Wion, Francois Bayrou Profile news, Francois Bayrou Profile latest news

francois bayrou-profile

Who is Francois Bayrou? The new French PM set to battle the political chaos

Francois Bayrou is new prime minister of France, announces President Macron